This Easter Brunch Monkey Bread is a fun and sweet treat! Made with soft dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar, it’s perfect for sharing during your holiday gathering.
Kids love pulling apart the sticky pieces. And honestly, who can resist that warm, gooey goodness? I always pretend I’m being fancy when I serve it, but really, it’s just deliciously messy! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: You can use store-bought refrigerated biscuit dough for ease. If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade dough adds a personal touch. For a lighter version, consider using crescent roll dough; they’ll puff up nicely!
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key for that warm flavor. If you want a twist, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for extra depth.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best, so you control the saltiness. In a pinch, stick margarine or coconut oil can substitute, but the flavor will change slightly.
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is perfect for this recipe, but if you’re out, you can use granulated sugar with a little molasses (about 1 tablespoon per cup). Dark brown sugar will bring a richer flavor.
How Do I Ensure My Monkey Bread Bakes Evenly?
To get the perfect monkey bread, the layering and the baking time are key. Start by cutting the biscuit dough into quarters; this helps create more surfaces for the cinnamon-sugar to cling to.
- Grease the bundt pan well to prevent sticking.
- Ensure your butter-brown sugar mixture is evenly distributed over the dough pieces. This promotes a uniform bake!
- Check for doneness about 5 minutes early. It’s better to underbake slightly than overbake, as it will continue cooking in the pan.
Finally, let it cool for a bit in the pan before flipping; this helps it hold its shape better.
How to Make Easter Brunch Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade dough (about 16 biscuits)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Assorted speckled candy eggs (chocolate or jelly beans)
- Fresh herbs or edible greenery (optional, for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Easter brunch monkey bread will take around 15 minutes for prep, plus 35-40 minutes for baking, and about 10 minutes for cooling. In total, you’ll spend about an hour before it’s ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, take a bundt pan and grease it thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray. This will help your monkey bread come out easily once it’s baked!
2. Mix the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This will give your monkey bread its sweet flavor! Set this mixture aside for later.
3. Prepare the Dough:
Open the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters or bite-sized pieces. Make sure they are evenly sized for uniform cooking!
4. Coat the Dough:
Take each piece of dough and roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until it’s fully coated. This step adds a delicious sweetness and cinnamon flavor to the bread.
5. Layer the Dough in the Pan:
Carefully place the coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan, stacking them up evenly. This is where you create the layers of sweet goodness!
6. Make the Butter Brown Sugar Mixture:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and light brown sugar together. Stir constantly until the mixture is combined and slightly bubbly. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
7. Pour the Mixture Over the Dough:
Evenly pour the melted butter and brown sugar mixture over the dough pieces in the bundt pan. Make sure to cover as much of the dough as possible for that sweet glaze!
8. Bake the Monkey Bread:
Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it; if the top turns brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
9. Cool the Bread:
Once golden brown and cooked through, remove the monkey bread from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
10. Prepare the Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it’s smooth. This glaze will add sweetness and make the bread look extra tempting!
11. Decorate the Monkey Bread:
Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread. Get creative by decorating the top with assorted speckled candy eggs and, if you like, add some fresh herbs or edible greenery for a festive touch.
12. Serve and Enjoy!
Your delicious monkey bread is now ready to serve warm! Pull apart pieces and enjoy this sweet treat at your Easter brunch! Happy eating!
Can I Substitute Frozen Biscuit Dough for Refrigerated Dough?
Yes! You can use frozen biscuit dough instead of refrigerated dough. Just make sure to thaw it completely in the fridge overnight before cutting it into pieces for the monkey bread.
How Should I Store Leftover Monkey Bread?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, refrigerate it, and reheat individual pieces in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the monkey bread up to the point of baking it, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before popping it in the oven.
What Can I Use Instead of Brown Sugar?
If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar mixed with a bit of molasses—about 1 tablespoon of molasses per cup of sugar will do the trick. Alternatively, white sugar alone is fine, though it won’t have the same depth of flavor.
